It’s baseball playoff season so rugby fever has not yet hit Hiroshima

Mark Gardiner, Our Man in Japan

It’s been up the walls since Friday.  Rugby fever hasn’t exactly hit Hiroshima apart from the small little pocket that is Molly Malone’s.  It’s baseball playoff season so most of the locals will be focused on that until Hiroshima gets knocked out.

Luckily a lot of the rugby tourists have decided to pay Hiroshima a visit between games to keep us busy.

Friday night for the opening game there was a nice buzz around the pub with a mix of Japanese and tourists all shouting for Japan until a sole Russian fan waltzed in draped in her country’s flag to a standing ovation. After a nervy start it all worked out in the end and Japan got their bonus point victory but if felt like everyone was a bit underwhelmed.

Next came super Saturday and although it was busy it felt like everybody was holding back for Sunday.  I was expecting most of the Irish to be up around Yokohama but was pleasantly surprised when green jerseys started showing up along with a few Scots.  Felt sorry for them in the end with noting to cheer for throughout the game.  All our Japanese customers were cheering for Ireland as they clearly believe their best chance is that last game against Scotland.

It can be quite tricky getting my son excited about the six nations because it’s always too late to watch it live over here.  So all he gets is the highlights which just isn’t the same.  He loved every minute of the Irish game, the intensity of it all.  He wouldn’t take off his Irish jersey for 2 days and even slept with a rugby ball the night of the game.  On Saturday he said he’ll be cheering both Japan and Ireland but hopes that Ireland win because they have a better chance of winning the trophy! I like the way he thinks.

We took a day off on Monday as we usually do and opened again Tuesday.  With it being Russia v Samoa I wasn’t expecting it to be too busy but one group after another just kept coming and before we knew it we were full up again.  This time it was mostly Irish, Aussies and a few sheepish Scots.

There was definitely a hungover vibe about everyone so it was a nice calm atmosphere but the pints were still flowing.

A  fella walked in and says he works with my cousin Margaret in Tullamore and she sends her regards.

Tis great to feel like I’m running a pub in Ireland again!

Follow Mark Gardiners World Cup Diary here and on the Galway App

Mark Gardiner is a former Galway resident now resident in Hiroshima, Japan where he owns and operates Molly Malones Bar. Read his weekly unique insight into the 2019 Rugby World Cup here and on the Galway App. 

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